Roman Returns

Safety Mark Roman made an appearance in the ongoing OTA’s on Tuesday as the last veteran to join the team. Roman sought a trade earlier in the offseason after coach Mike Singletary pronounced Dashon Goldson the starter at Roman’s free safety spot.

Mark Roman using his head.

Roman’s lack of creating turnovers (no interceptions or forced fumbles in the last two seasons) prompted his demotion and the subsequent request for a trade. Roman actually came to the 49ers in 2006 after complaining about losing his starting job in Green Bay. The Packers signed Marquand Manuel that year and declared him the starter; Roman, who had played with Manuel in Cincinnati, considered himself to be the better player (he might have been right, Manuel flamed out quickly in Green Bay).

The Packers waited until just before training camp to release him, which limited Roman’s options. Green Bay cut him July 27 that summer and the 49ers picked him up two days later. Roman immediately became the starter and wore the speaker helmet the last two seasons as the player who received the calls from defensive coordinator Greg Manusky. While Roman excelled at setting former coach Mike Nolan’s complicated defense, he often found himself out of position once the play started. He sometimes failed to recognize deep routes and that became acute in Dallas, where former 49er Terrell Owens caught seven passes for 213 yards including a 75-yard touchdown reception.

“Whatever my role is, I’ll be happy with it,” Roman said in a transcript provided by the 49ers Tuesday. Roman started at strong safety for a resting Michael Lewis on Tuesday and will presumably be a backup for both free and strong safety. “I can play them both, so it’s no big deal for me.”

Roman underwent foot surgery in February, but obviously recovered quickly. He wanted to come in for a OTA practice before the three-day mandatory minicamp to get “his legs underneath him.”

Roman could find himself playing extensively. Injuries hindered Goldson as a Washington Husky and a 49er, and Lewis could barely stand at the end of the season because of a variety of injuries, some of which required off-season surgery.

But Roman’s inexperience on special teams could hurt him come training camp. Backup safeties need to help there, and in fact, former 49er Keith Lewis clung to his roster spot because of his abundant special teams talent. Also, seventh-round rookie Curtis Taylor has shown a flair for picking off passes during OTA’s and Taylor would be far cheaper than Roman.

The 49ers are also following through on their plan to convert last year’s third-rounder, Reggie Smith, to safety despite the injuries at cornerback.

If the 49ers are going to make the required leap on defense needed to get them into the playoffs, safety will be a crucial position.